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Olbia is in the northeast of Sardinia on the Gulf of Olbia. The town's large yacht harbour is Marina di Olbia, and there are also berths in the Old Harbour. Here you can read how to arrive in Olbia for the start of your trip, which marina is where, where to shop, which destinations lie off Olbia, and how skippers berth in the harbour.
The essentials at a glance
- From Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport to Marina di Olbia takes only a few minutes by car; hire car desks are right at the terminal.
- Marina di Olbia and the Old Harbour are two different places: the marina is on the southern shore, the Old Harbour directly by the old town.
- For a big shop, the Olbia Mare shopping centre with a large supermarket is in the same district as the marina.
- The maestrale from the northwest governs sailing on the northeast coast. On strong days, a sailing day can turn into a harbour day.
- The first destinations are close: you reach Golfo Aranci and the island of Tavolara each after about 7 to 8 nautical miles.
Which marinas are there in Olbia?
Marina di Olbia is the city's largest yacht harbour, catering for yachts of all sizes. There is also a megayacht berth at Molo Brin in the Old Harbour and the pontoons of a sailing club.
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More InformationAll three are in the harbour of Olbia, but not at the same place. Marina di Olbia is on the southern shore, a good two and a half kilometres from the town centre as the crow flies. Molo Brin and the club pontoons are in the Old Harbour right by the centre.
| Feature | Marina di Olbia | Molo Brin | Old Harbour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Southern shore of the harbour, Sa Marinedda district | Southern side of the Old Harbour, right by the centre | Southern side of the Old Harbour on Viale Isola Bianca, near the island of Peddone with the Archaeological Museum |
| For whom | Yachts of all sizes up to 150 m | megayachts only, 40 m and above | Pontoons of Circolo Nautico Olbia |
| Operator | D-Marin (Marina di Olbia Yacht Services) | D-Marin | Circolo Nautico Olbia |
| Visitor berths | on request | for yachts based there only | on enquiry to the club |
Arriving for the start of your trip in Olbia
Olbia is convenient for arrival: airport, ferry terminal and railway station are all in the town. For the last leg it depends whether your boat is at Marina di Olbia or in the Old Harbour.
From Olbia airport to the marina
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport is a few kilometres southeast of the centre. Quickest to Marina di Olbia is by taxi: taxis wait outside the terminal and the journey is short. Those hiring a car will find the desks right beside the terminal.
Into the town centre, city buses on routes 2 and 10 also run from the airport. For the pontoons in the Old Harbour that may be enough; for Marina di Olbia a taxi with luggage is the easier solution. Taxi ranks are also at the ferry port and on Corso Umberto I.
By car, train, bus or ferry
Ferries from the Italian mainland arrive at the terminal on Isola Bianca. From there it is about a five-minute walk to the waterfront and Corso Umberto I, the old town's shopping street. You can also reach Marina di Olbia quickly by car from the ferry terminal, which is handy for anyone bringing their car to the island.
If you are already on Sardinia, you can reach Olbia by train. The railway station is on Corso Umberto I, with trains running from Sassari and from the direction of Oristano and Cagliari, amongst others. Italian Railways also offers combined train and bus tickets from all parts of the island to Olbia airport. By car, you can reach Olbia from the west via Sassari and from the south via the expressway from Cagliari.
Which marina is mine?
If you are arriving as a cabin charter guest: which marina and which pontoon it is will be stated in your trip documents. The full name is crucial. If you only say "Olbia harbour" to a taxi driver, you might end up at the ferry terminal on Isola Bianca. So say "Marina di Olbia, Sa Marinedda" for the yacht harbour on the south shore, or "Molo Brin" or "Circolo Nautico" for the Old Harbour in the centre.
Shopping for the trip
In the same district as the marina, on state road 125 in Sa Marinedda, you will find the Olbia Mare shopping centre, which is open all year round and has a large supermarket. It is the nearest large supermarket; for a weekly shop with full bags, a taxi is still worthwhile.
Other larger supermarkets are in the town, for example on Corso Vittorio Veneto in the centre and on Via Barcellona. By hire car or taxi you are there in a few minutes. If you are coming from the airport by hire car, you can do the shopping on the way.
Doctor, pharmacy and emergency services
Olbia has a hospital with an accident and emergency department (Pronto Soccorso). In summer there is usually a tourist medical service in Olbia (Guardia medica turistica). You will find pharmacies in the town centre.
- 112: general emergency number, free from all networks
- 1530: Coastguard (Guardia Costiera) for emergencies at sea, free of charge
- At sea: VHF channel 16
Where is Marina di Olbia?
Marina di Olbia is on the south shore of the harbour, in the Sa Marinedda district on Via Piovene.
Until recently the marina was managed by the company Marina di Olbia Yacht Services. In spring 2026 the marina chain D-Marin took it over, together with Molo Brin. Digitally networked service pedestals stand at the berths; the marina is guarded and video-monitored around the clock.
| Marina di Olbia | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | ca. 40° 54.98′ N, 009° 31.53′ E |
| Operator | D-Marin, Marina di Olbia Yacht Services |
| Berths | more than 200, for yachts up to 150 m |
| Maximum draught | 5,2 m |
| VHF channel | 9 |
| Fuel station | fuel berth around 200 m long, for up to seven yachts simultaneously |
| Safety | 24-hour security service, video surveillance |
| Address | Via Piovene 8, Loc. Sa Marinedda, 07026 Olbia |
Berth enquiries go through the marina's website.
Facilities at Marina di Olbia
The most striking feature is the long fuel quay: at around 200 metres it is one of the largest on Sardinia's north coast, with up to seven yachts able to refuel at the same time. So before a trip towards the Costa Smeralda or La Maddalena, you refuel directly in the marina.
For technical work and repairs, several boatyards are nearby; through the marina you can reach a network of more than 50 service partners for owners and crews. Restaurants and shops are near the marina.
What is there in Olbia's Old Harbour?
The Old Harbour is Olbia's historic harbour; it adjoins the waterfront promenade and the old town directly. On its south side lies Molo Brin, whose tip looks out towards Tavolara.
As of October 2026, a berth exclusively for megayachts of 40 metres and over is being developed at Molo Brin. When it will be fully operational is not yet known. It is not intended for cruising yachts.
Part of Molo Brin is used by the sailing club Circolo Nautico Olbia. Its premises include floating pontoons, quay walls and water areas for club members and leisure craft; the concession runs until the end of 2036. The pontoons are on Viale Isola Bianca, near the Archaeological Museum on Isola Peddone. From there you are a few minutes' walk to the promenade and Corso Umberto I.
What's the weather like for sailing in Olbia?
The prevailing wind in Sardinia is the Maestrale from the northwest, also known as the Mistral. On the northeast coast it blows at more than 30 knots on strong days and then quickly builds steep seas.
Alongside this, the Scirocco from the southeast also blows on the northeast coast all year round. If you are on a cabin charter for the first time, expect the route to depend on the wind: in a strong Maestrale the crew would rather stay a day in harbour or choose a sheltered destination in the gulf rather than sail a long leg. An overview of the Maestrale, Scirocco and other winds is given in our article on most important winds in the Mediterranean.
Where can you go from Olbia?
From Olbia, the marine reserve around Tavolara, the coast of Golfo Aranci and the Costa Smeralda lie close together, so the first leg can be short. On the trip you can expect rather short daily legs to islands and bays for swimming. The distances are rounded over-water distances on the usual course; for exact planning the chart applies.
Golfo Aranci and Tavolara
Golfo Aranci on the northern side of the outer gulf lies around 7 nautical miles away. To the south you can reach the island of Tavolara with its headland Spalmatore di Terra in around 8 nautical miles. Tavolara belongs to the Tavolara–Punta Coda Cavallo marine protected area. You may neither motor nor anchor in its core zones. In the remaining zones, when motoring within 300 metres of the coast you may do no more than 5 knots, and between 300 and 600 metres no more than 10 knots. Anchoring is permitted only on sand or gravel, never on seagrass meadows (Posidonia). For the buoy fields you need authorisation from the protected area management (as at October 2026).
Porto Rotondo and Costa Smeralda
Northwards the course leads out of the gulf around Capo Figari. Porto Rotondo is around 16 nautical miles away, Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda around 20 nautical miles. Opposite Porto Rotondo, in the Gulf of Cugnana, around 17 nautical miles away lies the Marina di Portisco.
La Maddalena
Further north still lies the La Maddalena archipelago, a national park. Anyone wishing to motor, anchor or moor to a buoy there with a boat not registered locally needs prior paid authorisation from the park management. Anyone caught without it pays 40 per cent more if checked at sea. Binding information is available from the park management; an overview is offered by the park portal for La Maddalena National Park.
What can you do ashore in Olbia?
Olbia is a harbour town with a long history, and most destinations for a day off lie at the Old Harbour and in the old town.
- Archaeological Museum: it stands on the small island of Peddone at the Old Harbour, around 1.7 kilometres as the crow flies from Marina di Olbia. The building resembles a moored ship. Excavations in the ancient harbour uncovered eleven wrecks of Roman merchant ships that burnt during a Vandal attack around 450 AD. Two of them are exhibited on the ground floor, along with oar blades and two masts.
- Basilica of San Simplicio: The Romanesque granite church in the centre was built in several phases between the 11th and 13th centuries and was the area's first episcopal seat. On 15 May Olbia celebrates its patron saint here.
- Corso Umberto I: The old town's main street runs from the harbour into the centre, with shops, cafés and restaurants. For an evening before the trip starts, it's the obvious address.
- Sacred well of Sa Testa: On the northern edge of the city towards Pittulongu lies a Bronze Age sacred well, built in the 12th to 11th century BC. A staircase with 17 steps leads down into the domed well chamber. The site is freely accessible; on the town bus you take line 4 to the Pozzo Sacro stop.
- Beaches of Pittulongu: North of the town lie the beaches of Pittulongu, including La Playa, Squalo, Pellicano and Bados. For an afternoon's swimming, take a car or taxi.
For skippers: berthing and sea weather in Olbia
In Marina di Olbia you call up on VHF channel 9; in Olbia harbour the harbour authority's regulations apply, with a sailing ban and speed limits.
Calling up and berthing in Marina di Olbia
You call ahead on VHF channel 9 before entering and moor at the berth assigned to you by the marina staff. Mooring is done with stern lines to the pontoon; at the bow you hold onto a buoy or at some berths with your own anchor.
Before entering, lay out stern lines and fenders on both sides and keep a boat hook to hand to pick up the bow line. After making fast, you report to the marina office. Channel 16 is the distress and calling channel, the harbour authority control station works on channel 11; for the marina itself you use channel 9.
Berthing in the Old Harbour
The Molo Vecchio and Molo Bosazza quays in the Old Harbour were used by leisure craft during the season for around 20 years. As things stand at present (October 2026), mooring there is normally prohibited; only during maestrale conditions has the harbour office recently allocated berths temporarily. The harbour authority has amended the harbour plan so that in future a harbour for smaller leisure craft can be developed along these roughly 650 metres of quay. Until then, you only moor there with express allocation.
Harbour rules
The port of Olbia is a large ferry harbour; you share the approach with ferries and cargo vessels. The harbour regulations therefore set out clear rules (as of October 2026):
- Inside the actual harbour, i.e. west of the lighthouse on the Isola della Bocca, sailing is not permitted. Exceptions apply only for training and examination passages.
- In the buoyed approach channel, around 1.1 nautical miles long, the maximum speed is 8 knots; in the rest of the harbour the maximum is 4 knots.
- In the approach channel and in the turning basin off the Isola Bianca, stopping, anchoring, fishing and swimming are prohibited.
In Marina di Olbia you separate your rubbish into transparent bags: paper, plastic, glass, general waste and organic waste; organic waste only in compostable bags. Black bags will not be collected.
Approach to Olbia
In the Gulf of Olbia there are mussel farms; in the outer gulf there are also shipping lanes for ferries and cargo vessels. Where possible, keep close to the coast outside these areas and cross the shipping lanes at right angles and smartly. In the approach channel you then follow the buoyed fairway, take down the mainsail in good time before the lighthouse and give way to outbound ferries.
Which marine weather forecast applies in Olbia?
For Italian waters, the weather service of the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) issues the official marine weather forecast. It is updated every six hours and includes gale warnings; the coastguard broadcasts it by radio.
Anyone with a NAVTEX receiver on board can pick up the La Maddalena station. It transmits weather forecasts in English (identifier R, 518 kHz) at 06:50 and 18:50 UTC and in Italian (identifier I, 490 kHz) at 09:20 and 21:20 UTC — in summer, therefore, two hours later local time. Before a passage round Capo Figari in particular, it's worth checking the warnings, even if it looks calm in the gulf.
Trips from Olbia on Törnfinder
In October 2026 there are 56 sailing trips on Törnfinder over the next twelve months with departure or destination in Olbia; most start in May, June and April, typically with eight days on board. The trips are offered by seven providers and are sailed on monohulls and catamarans. Trips around the island can be found under cabin charter in Sardinia, offers throughout the country under Sailing in Italy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Olbia airport to Marina di Olbia?
Most easily by taxi; the journey takes only a few minutes. Tell the driver "Marina di Olbia, Sa Marinedda", otherwise he might take you to the ferry port. City buses 2 and 10 run from the airport to the centre.
Is there a supermarket near Marina di Olbia?
Yes, in the same district there is the Olbia Mare shopping centre with a large supermarket. You'll find other larger supermarkets in the town, for example on Corso Vittorio Veneto.
How far is it from Marina di Olbia to the old town?
A good two and a half kilometres as the crow flies; by taxi the journey is short. The pontoons in the Old Harbour, on the other hand, lie directly at the old town.
Which marina in Olbia is the largest for sailing yachts?
Marina di Olbia takes yachts up to 150 metres. In the Old Harbour there are Molo Brin, only for megayachts from 40 metres, and the pontoons of the sailing club Circolo Nautico Olbia.
What VHF channel does Marina di Olbia use?
Channel 9. The harbour authority control station operates on channel 11; listening watch and emergency calls are on channel 16.
Is sailing allowed in Olbia harbour?
No. West of the lighthouse on Isola della Bocca, sailing is prohibited. In the approach channel the limit is 8 knots; in the rest of the harbour it is 4 knots.
Do I need a permit for La Maddalena?
Yes. With a non-local boat you need a paid permit from the park administration before sailing, anchoring or mooring in the national park.
